Developers need access to device running the platform for which they develop. Nexus was Google’s reference device and now Mozilla is coming out with its own device. Firefox OS maker announced Flame back in February and now the device is available for pre-order from everbuying.com for $170 including free shipping.

Mozilla says, “The Flame will also be a great development and testing environment for third party app developers targeting Firefox OS and HTML5. The phone offers a software configurable RAM option that can be made to emulate many different devices that will be commercially available later this year.”

Mozilla has partnered with T2Mobile to manufacture, distribute, and update the Firefox OS based device.

Here are the hardware specs of the device:

CPU: Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon, 1.2GHZ Dual core processor

Display: 4.5” screen (FWVGA 854×480 pixels)

Cameras: Rear: 5MP with auto-focus and flash / Front: 2MP

Network: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz/UMTS 850/900/1900/2100MHz

Storage: 8GB memory

RAM: 256MB – 1GB RAM (adjustable by developer)

Cips: A-GPS, NFC

SIM: Dual SIM Support

Battery: Battery capacity: 1,800 mAh

WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, Micro USB, MicroSD

Mozilla has ensured that unlike Google devices, non-US developers won’t be deprived of the devices. The phone will be shipped free of cost anywhere in the world except for Japan. It will take around four weeks, after pre-order, for the device to be shipped.

Swapnil Bhartiya is a journalist and writer who has been covering Linux & Open Source for 10 years. He is also a science fiction writer whose stories have been broadcasted on Indian radio and published in leading Indian magazines. He is currently also working on several science fiction novels. He currently resides in the capital of America.You can follow him on LinkedIn , Google+, Twitter and Facebook.